Comparison

Universal Remote vs Smart TV remote app

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Universal Remote

Control all your smart TVs and streaming devices from your phone. Offers quick navigation, app access, and gesture controls for a seamless remote experience. Compatible with major brands.

Highlights
  • Control smart TVs and streaming devices
  • Full-featured remote with essential buttons
  • Channel and volume control
  • One-tap access to popular apps
  • Swipe-based gesture controls
  • Quick WiFi pairing
Features
Read full description

Control all your devices in one place — fast, easy, and wireless. Universal Remote Screen Cast lets you control Smart TVs and streaming devices directly from your phone. Compatible with major brands like Samsung, Roku, Sony, Amazon Fire TV and LG, this app offers a seamless remote experience with quick navigation, fast pairing, and simple access to your favorite apps. Key Features: Full-featured remote with all essential buttons Switch channels and control volume with ease One-tap access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, and more Swipe-based gesture controls for smooth navigation Quick pairing with Smart TVs connected to the same WiFi network Easy Setup: Ensure your phone and Smart TV are connected to the same WiFi network. Open the app, select your TV, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process. This universal remote app supports a wide variety of Smart TV brands and models. Disclaimer: This application is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the mentioned companies. It is not an official product of any brand or its affiliates. Premium Access: • Subscribed user has unlimited access to the remote services. • Unsubscribed user can only use those services with limited quota per day. • User can subscribe one week (USD 3.99) or one month (USD 6.99) auto renewing subscriptions or one year (USD 19.99) auto renewing subscriptions or Lifetime (USD24.99) limited offer. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Terms of Use: http://uniremotelabs.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: http://uniremotelabs.com/privacy-policy For support or feedback, contact us at: support@uniremotelabs.com

About

Smart TV remote app

Control your smart TV using your phone as a virtual remote. Connect via Wi-Fi to manage volume, channels, playback, and menus for various popular TV brands. Enjoy a realistic design for easy navigation.

Highlights
  • Virtual remote control
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Volume control
  • Channel changing
  • Navigation pad
  • Video playback controls
  • Menu and options access
Features
Read full description

This app is a virtual remote that allows you to control your Smart TV from your Phone. Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic,TCL Roku,Roku sticks,Hitachi, Telefunken, Grundig, Continental Edison TV and more... To use this remote control, your iPhone must be on the same Wi-fi network as your TV. Detection of your TV will be automatic and depending on the model of your TV, you will have to accept the message that will appear on your TV screen. The app works through WIFI, so you do not have to be close to the TV to make it works. With a realistic design, you can use all the functions of the original remote control very easily. This app supports the most famous TV brands like Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart Tv and LG Web OS, Sony Bravia, Philips, Panasonic viera, Telefunken, Grundig, Hitachi and Continental Edison. We have integrated the most useful commands, the features are listed below: -Change the volume -Change the channel number -Use navigation pad -Video control (Play/Pause/Stop...) -Menu, Options, Info, Tools -Power off If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact us. Disclaimer: This application is not an official app of Samsung,LG,Sony,Philips,Panasonic,Telefunken,Grundig,Continental Edison nor are we affiliated with these company. Privacy Policy: http://scout-web-based.tilda.ws/privacy Terms of use: http://scout-web-based.tilda.ws/terms

Screenshots

Universal Remote4 screens
Smart TV remote app3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Smart TV remote app at none against Universal Remote's shown. Universal Remote's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 14%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Smart TV remote app sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Universal Remote against 4.4 for Smart TV remote app. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 7.8K ratings behind it against 267, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 14% of Smart TV remote app's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, Smart TV remote app every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Universal Remote versus Smart TV remote app: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal RemoteSmart TV remote app
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (7.8K ratings)4.4 (267 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.7% of reviews — better14.0% of reviews
Number of ratings7.8K — better267
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size223 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUNIVERSAL REMOTE LABS COMPANY LIMITEDSCOUT -WEB BASED SYSTEMS LTD

Customer experience

Universal Remote

All ratings7,770 ratings
Positive80.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative14.1%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive32.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative62.5%

Smart TV remote app

All ratings267 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive14.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative84.0%

User reviews

Universal Remote

From 7.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Responsive and fast
  • 🎨 Seamless pairing with devices
  • 💡 Useful as a backup remote

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔌 Unreliable connection to devices
  • 📢 Intrusive ads and constant upsells

Smart TV remote app

From 267 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Connects to anything
  • 👍 Worked first time instantly

Room to improve

  • 💸 All features are paid
  • 💸 Expensive subscription
  • 💸 High weekly cost
  • 💸 Trying to scam users
  • 👎 App doesn't work

Bugs and requests

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to find or connect to TV
  • Purchased features not activating
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Restoration of purchases not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Customizable button layout
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Ability to control smart home devices
  • Improved Apple Watch integration

Smart TV remote app

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Does not work on TV
  • Cannot find TV
  • Difficult to cancel subscription
  • Free version opens ads with every button press
  • Payment went through without agreement
Show 3 more
  • Inconvenient and disconnects from TV frequently
  • Support tab does not work
  • Cannot cancel free trial

Requested features

3 requests
  • Clear instructions on how to connect
  • Option to cancel subscription easily
  • Less intrusive ads in free version

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions7
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Monthly Premium$9.991 Month
  • Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime Premium$19.99
  • Lifetime$24.99
  • Lifetime Premium$29.99
4 purchases

Smart TV remote app

Subscriptions4
  • Universal Remote Control TV$1.997 Days
  • Week Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Week Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 1 more
  • Universal TV Remote Control$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart TV remote app free?
Smart TV remote app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app?
Smart TV remote app is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7.8K ratings, while Smart TV remote app averages 4.4 from 267 ratings.
Do Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app have ads?
Universal Remote shows ads; Smart TV remote app does not.
Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app?
Universal Remote ships an update monthly, and Smart TV remote app every 5 months. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 22, 2026 and Smart TV remote app on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons